David Yates in talks for "Harry Potter" spin-off

David Yates is in talks to direct 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them'.

The 50-year-old filmmaker - who helmed four of the 'Harry Potter' movies, including the final two - is said to be Warner Bros. top choice to helm at least the first in their planned trilogy of spin-off films, Variety reports.

The new series is loosely based on a textbook featured in the 'Harry Potter' movie series, which was written around 70 years before the wizarding exploits of the titular character and his friends and is expected to feature some creatures and characters familiar to fans of the franchise.

It is expected to be set in the early 1920s and follows the adventures of author and Magizoologist New Scamander.

However, writer J.K. Rowling says it will be ''neither a prequel nor a sequel to the Harry Potter series, but an extension of the wizarding world.''

Yates is currently busy working on 'Tarzan' for the studio and 'Fantastic Beasts...' has a scheduled release date of November 2016, but he is said to be ready to go straight from one project to the next.